Hello ~ From South Dakota

**DanNeil** · 17th October 13, 03:44 PM

Greetings from South Dakota.
I am not in Scotland, SD or Aberdeen, SD. I am In Sioux Falls.
Local legend tells me a Scottish conductor on the railroad named every stop with a name from Scotland.
Anyway.

I am a newbie to X Marks the Scot. Found the site while learning about Kilts.
The price was right so I signed up.

My mother was a McNeil (MacNeil). Her mother was a Black (Maclean?)
My father's mother was a MacKay.

I went to the Estes Park Highland Festival in Sept 2013 at the insistence of my nephew.
We loved it. I am pumped on my Scottish heritage from both sides of the family. Joined the Clan Macneill of America.

I retire soon and am planning a MacNeil Tour of Scotland in August 2014. (Auld Country Tours - any input?)
17days with Edinburgh Tatoo included. Sounds fantastic
I need a MacNeil tartan kilt to take with me there.
Probably 'new tartan' though 'ancient' looks nice too! 8 yard probably. Weight? Open to all suggestions.

My avatar is the 1916 Standing Liberty Quarter (US). It was designed by Hermon Atkins MacNeil, (American Sculptor 1866-1947). He was my mother's "Uncle Hermon" who I met only through her stories.
My website link should appear in my signature block. (If I did it right) Or check my profile.
The website is a 'virtual gallery' of Hermon A.MacNeil's 100s of statues and Monuments that he sculpted all over the USA. I am researching his life and will write a book about him in the next 3 years.

When all the above is not keeping me busy, I can be found:

Grampa-ing our 2 grandsons, 3 & 6
driving and "hillbilly-mechanic-ing" on 3 old Cars with my brother in Missouri.
wine-making
picking my next travel trip to a MacNeil statue
researching and - searching for - 'Uncle Hermon'

THANKS FOR THE GREAT WEBSITE! They are powerful ways to connect.

DanNeil

**Father Bill** · 17th October 13, 03:45 PM

Welcome to the "Great Rabble!"

**Chas** · 17th October 13, 03:52 PM

Hello Dan,

Welcome to XMarks from the other side of the Atlantic in Norfolk, England.

**dougle** · 17th October 13, 04:33 PM

Hi welcome from Worcestershire England

**DanNeil** · 17th October 13, 04:52 PM

Thanks for the welcome ~ Fr Bill, Dougle, Chas
Two from England....>>>>>>>One from Ontario
My Scottish kilted cousins in the USA must not be home from work yet? Or prying open gov't? (Opps will that get censored?)

DanNeil